All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have announced a major broadcast rights deal with ESPN, giving pro wrestling fans in Australia and New Zealand another major boost.
Just weeks after WWE's permanent move to streaming service Binge, the world's second-biggest wrestling company will now be available to a more widespread audience in the Oceania region.
Aussie and Kiwi fans had previously had to watch weekly shows AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage via the FITE streaming service for a monthly fee, but will now be available live and on-demand via ESPN.
It will be the first time that two pro wrestling companies have been broadcast at the same time on a weekly basis on Foxtel and Kayo Sports for many years.
"ESPN announced that it has secured exclusive broadcast rights to top American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), bringing its premium matches and entertainment to ESPN subscribers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands starting February 16," a statement said.
"This marks AEW’s first broadcast deal in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and ESPN’s first broadcast partnership with a professional wrestling organisation in the region.
"AEW, the new professional wrestling league taking the world by storm, is continuing its meteoric rise with record-high ratings, world-class roster and highly entertaining product.
"Each week on ESPN, fans in the region can catch all the action on AEW: DYNAMITE on Thursday AEDT and AEW: RAMPAGE on Saturday AEDT, with same-day replays and episodes made available on-demand.
"In addition, through ESPN, fans will have access to all of AEW’s quarterly pay-per-view events on delay."
AEW is home to some of the best pro wrestlers in the world, with the likes of Jon Moxley, MJF, Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson all plying their trade with the promotion.
CM Punk - one of the most iconic pro wrestlers of the 21st century - is also signed with AEW, however the 44-year-old has been sidelined due to injury since September.
The company is owned and funded by Tony Khan, the owner of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC.
As well as Australia and New Zealand, AEW will now be available via ESPN in up to 20 countries across the Pacific Islands including Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
AEW will remain commercial-free on FITE for both weekly shows through the AEW Plus subscription, and remains the exclusive live rights holder for the company's quarterly pay-per-view events.